PEPPERMINT (MENTHA PIPERITA) EXTRACT: ITS POTENTIAL AS ANTIDEPRESSANT ON MALE WISTAR RAT (RATTUS NORVEGICUS) EXPOSED TO PHOTOPERIOD AND BLUE LIGHT

• Main Author: Andisa, Elvania
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Subjects: Ilmu hayati ; Biologi
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/34920
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Blue light is exposed by electronic which are equipped with LED (light-emitting diode) lamps that have a blue light wavelength (± 480 nm). Exposure to blue light at night can cause physiological disorders including the appearance of symptoms of stress and depression. Depression can be treated with antidepressant drugs that can lead to side effect. Therefore, natural ingredients can be used as an alternative treatment. The aim of this study was to examine the activity of Peppermint (Mentha piperita) as an antidepressant agent in decreasing cortisol level, increasing serotonin and melatonin level, decreasing stress behavior of rats showed by its immobility time, and increasing active behavior on rat were exposed to blue light. Seventy five male wistar rats with 250-300 g average weight were divided into 5 groups and treated, as follows: (1) non-stressed, (2) blue light + aquades, (3) blue light + mint extract 140 mg / kg, (4) blue light + mint extract 28 mg / kg, and (5) blue light + fluoxetine (antidepressant drug) 14 mg / kg. Blue light exposure was given for 7 days with various fotoperiode, ie 12 bright / 12 dark, 18 bright / 6 dark, and 24 bright / 0 dark. At the end of treatments, all rat were assigned on FST (Forced Swimming Test), then serum and brain were taken from each rat. The results showed that 280 mg/kg mint extract can reduced serum cortisol levels and increased levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin and melatonin effectively. In the Forced Swimming Test (FST), mint extract (280 mg/kg) was effective in reducing the duration of immobility as an indicator of stress behavior in all photoperiods, increasing swimming behavior in rats were exposed to blue light for 24 hours, and increasing climbing behavior in rats were exposed to blue light for 12 and 18 hours. The results were almost similar with the result obtained for fluoxetine administration. Based on the results of this study, blue light exposure is a stressor because it can lead several stress symptoms, that is an increase in cortisol, a low level of monoamine, and stress behavior seen from hight duration of immobility. Mint extract (280 mg/kg) can compensate for stress because it can reduce cortisol levels and duration of immobility, increasing monoamine levels and active behavior in the Forced Swimming Test (FST). From these results, it can be concluded that Mentha piperita extract has the potential to be an antidepressant.